Michael Stretton

Hello.......

I'm Michael, an ordinary guy living an ordinary but enjoyable life. I love photography, reading, music and police dramas on TV. I have just recently caught onto "The Blacklist" TV programme and particularly I like the Raymond Reddington played by James Spader but I suppose that is really because I love hats and and both James and his character wear the hats that I like.

Travelling around the UK with my family is one of my favourite pastimes. Britain has some of the most beautiful and spectacular coastline in the world and with it slowly eroding away with the winter storms, I like to photograph it while it's still there. My wife loves to visit and photograph Britain's lighthouses so we have a constant challenge finding them as they are sometimes in the most difficult locations to get to.

Books! Well I don't read nearly enough and also I am very fussy - I struggle to concentrate on some books. I always finish them but every now and then it comes as no surprise to my wife when she finds me still reading a book eight or nine months after I started it! It doesn't happen often, generally just when I take a chance on something or someone that I don't normally read. I really enjoy reading Stephen King, Dean Koontz and James Herbert. Duma Key by King, The Husband and Velocity by Koontz and Nobody True by the late James Herbert sit on top of the pile of my favourites.

Hats - yes hats! I love hats and unfortunately in Britain not many people do. America is much different though, lots of people there own and wear hats - I wish people did here. Due to the lack of hat interest here, the number of reliable stockists and the selection are both limited and also expensive. Three of my favourite hat manufacturers are Borsalino, Biltmore and Bailey with the Borsalino Bellagio Black Fedora being my favourite but it's a close run thing with the Biltmore Governor - Brussels Fedora in light grey which is set to be released for sale any time now. I also have to say that the Biltmore Governor - Brussels hat is truly one of if not the most beautiful hat that I've seen.

All the best - Michael